By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—Most people dread going to a funeral or to the dentist. Whenever I go to either, I have to give myself a pep talk. I repeat to myself the sage observation of Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal of Tifereth Israel Synagogue that helping to bury a person is one of the kindest […]
Even at funerals and dentists’ offices, there are positives to savor Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Calendar
By Joel A. Moskowitz, MD LA JOLLA, California — In anticipation of spending a Seder with our daughter and her family, I chanced upon a book that describes how one hundred and one famous and not so famous persons recall their experience on Pesach. Nancy Rips, a book commentator, has gathered a small volume, of
‘Seder Stories’ by Nancy Rips may prompt good conversation at your seder Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish ReligionBy Eileen Wingard SAN DIEGO — For the second year, the Samuel and Rebecca Astor Judaica Library at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center hosted three evenings devoted to the works of local poets: Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices. The second evening, February 24, featured student poets. Six seniors from the San Diego Jewish Academy, Yael Wulfovich,
Works of six SDJA student poets and a teacher showcased at Lawrence Family JCC Read More »
Eileen WingardSACRAMENTO (Press Release) – Assemblymember Marty Block (Democrat, San Diego) has been appointed as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Higher Education by Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez. “I am honored by the opportunity to serve at such a critical time for California’s public education system,” said Assemblymember Block. “Higher education is the foundation of
Marty Block named Assembly Higher Education chairman Read More »
San Diego CalendarBy Isaac Yetiv Dear Madam: Your intempestive intervention in the Jerusalem incident , and your outrageous 43 minutes phone call upbraiding the Prime Minister of a sovereign nation that is the only democracy in the Middle-East and our only reliable military ally, Israel, are not only shameful and undiplomatic, but have deleterious effects on
Open letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Read More »
Middle East, USABy Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO–It is customary for children to begin their Torah study with the parsha of Vayikra. Vayikra teaches about the pure offerings in the Tabernacle. We let the pure children engage in the purity of Vayikra. The purity and devotion of the Jewish people is beyond measure as the following true
A sacred moment in a Polish ghetto Read More »
Travel and Food
SAN DIEGO (Press Release) – Straight from the world-famous 92nd Street Y on Lexington Avenue, Wendy Sabin-Lasker took the helm the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture the first week of March 2010. At the 92nd Y, Ms. Sabin-Lasker directed daytime programming including the ground-breaking Daytime@ The Steinhardt Building and 92YTribeca geared to baby boomers and
Wendy Sabin-Lasker named head of San Diego Center for Jewish Culture Read More »
Travel and Food
By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–It is not possible to find a more left-wing, large circulation media outlet in Israel than Ha’aretz. It is as close as anything Israeli comes to the New York Times: not in the quality or extent of its coverage, but in having as its readers the intellectual, political, and economic elites of
Obama, Clinton, and Mideast realities Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—My grandson Sky Masori, recently celebrated his third birthday with his first haircut—a Jewish tradition called an “upsherin” that is being revived across the denominational spectrum. The tradition is based on Leviticus 19:23 in which we are enjoined when coming into a new land not to partake of the
Enjoying third birthday and third grade field trip for grandsons Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Sandi Masori, Shor M. Masori
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – The Japanese community of San Diego held a cherry blossom festival last weekend at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park. It was an event for all the senses. The colorful costumes of the children and the koi in the pond pleased the eye. Japanese music gratified
Japanese-style books make reading to children even more fun Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Calendar, USA
By Marissa Palin SAN DIEGO–Daniel Pearl’s last words were “My father is Jewish, my mother is Jewish, I am Jewish.” These words were spoken on a video filmed by his captors, a Pakistani militant group, stating their demands. Eight years and three days after Daniel’s death, on February 24, 2010, Dr. Judea Pearl explained the
What did Daniel Pearl's declaration of being Jewish really mean? Read More »
Travel and Food
By Bruce Kesler ENCINITAS, California –What the heck is the Hurva, and what is its current role in Israel-Palestinian and Israel-US tensions? The Hurva (“ruin” or “wreck” in Hebrew) has become a target for the Palestinian campaign to denigrate Israel’s Jewish heritage, and the Obama administration is cooperating. Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu is trying to
Havya heard of the Hurva? Read More »
Middle East
By Lloyd Levy LONDON–They say that “turkeys don’t vote for Thanksgiving”- how wrong they are. It was hard to believe at the time of the Election, that the vast majority of Jews in USA voted for Barack Obama as President. Well (to mix a metaphor) the birds have come home to roost, and their support
Why did American Jews vote for Obama? Read More »
Lloyd Levy, Middle East, USA
Last in a series By Donald H. Harrison MANTA, Ecuador—There’s a San Diego feel about this city near the equator. The same tuna companies – Van Camp, Bumblebee—that once made San Diego their homes now have canneries here. Although it recently closed, a U.S. Air Force base here that monitored possible drug traffickers in nearby
Boom times in Manta reminiscent of San Diego last century Read More »
Donald H. Harrison